After a group of would-be criminals kidnap the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, all they have to do to collect a $50 million ransom is watch the girl overnight. In an isolated mansion, the captors start to dwindle, one by one, and they discover, to their mounting horror, that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.
From Radio Silence—the directing team of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett behind the terrifying modern horror hits Ready or Not, 2022’s Scream and last year’s Scream VI—comes a brash, blood-thirsty new vision of the vampire flick, written by Stephen Shields (The Hole in the Ground, Zombie Bashers) and Guy Busick (Scream franchise, Ready or Not).
Abigail is an upcoming horror thriller from Universal Pictures. See trailer below.
The film stars Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, Giancarlo Esposito
Abigail is set for release in theaters on April 19, 2024.
Julianne Nicholson and Zoe Ziegler stars in the latest drama film from A24 “Janet Planet”. It is directed by Annie Baker in her directorial debut and has been receiving praise around 2023 festival circuit.
Set in rural Western Massachusetts, 11-year-old Lacy spends the summer of 1991 at home, enthralled by her own imagination and the attention of her mother, Janet. As the months pass, three visitors enter their orbit, all captivated by Janet and her spellbinding nature. In her solitary moments, Lacy inhabits an inner world so extraordinarily detailed that it begins to seep into the outside world.
The film is set for release on June 28, 2024.
The cast also includes Sophie Okonedo, Elias Koteas, Will Patton, Luke Bosco, June Walker Grossman, Abby Harri, Edie Moon Kearns, Mary Beth Brooker
In PURE O, a rehab counselor (Daniel Dorr, Fury, 20th Century Women) questions his sanity when he is diagnosed with a crippling form of OCD known as Pure Obsessional. With the help of his friends, a therapy group, and his addiction recovery clients, he discovers the life-affirming power of community in order to fight through the darkest moment of his life.
The film is set for digital release on major platforms Friday, April 12, and atrically in Los Angeles Friday April 5.
PURE O marks the directorial debut of veteran actor-musician-filmmaker Dillon Tucker, who has drawn from his own struggle with OCD to create a singular cinematic portrait of American life. Featuring subtle, natural light-filled cinematography by Tucker’s longtime creative collaborator, Ricky Fosheim, and a vibrant soundtrack of original songs by Tucker.
Along with Daniel Dorr, the film also stars Hope Lauren (CW’s The Republic of Sarah), Landry Bender (Best Friends Whenever, Hulu’s Looking for Alaska, The Sitter, Fuller House), Jeffery A. Baker
Said Dillon, ‘Pure O is a semi-autobiographical account of my life around the time I was diagnosed with OCD while working as a counselor at a drug and alcohol rehab. It is a true ensemble piece that shows how mental health affects not only the sufferer, but also the loved ones who surround them. This film is a story about the power of human connection and how vulnerability is the greatest form of courage.
PURE O was nominated for the Grand Jury award at 2023 SXSW, and received critical acclaim. Script Magazine called it “vulnerable, honest, and remarkably, it feels real, “ and Signal Horizon said the film is “ one of the most poignant and optimistic films I have ever seen.”
Directed by Alexis Bloom and Svetlana Zill, CATCHING FIRE: THE STORY OF ANITA PALLENBERG is a vital portrait of the charismatic and fierce rock ‘n’ roller, actress, muse, and mother who rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s after a chance encounter with the Rolling Stones. Scarlett Johansson voices Anita (based on the words of her unpublished memoir) and the film includes her children, Marlon and Angela Richards, and their father, Keith Richards.
Anita Pallenberg was at many points in her life a newspaper headline: a “rock n’ roll goddess,” a “voodoo priestess,” and an “evil seductress.” She was accused of trying to break up the Rolling Stones, among other things. But those who loved her considered her an exciting cultural force, and a loving mother – and innocent of the accusations.
Never-seen-before home movies and family photographs explore life with the Rolling Stones and tell a bittersweet tale of both triumph and heartbreak. From Barbarella to the Swiss Alps, and the Lower East Side to London, Anita Pallenberg was a creative force ahead of her time.
Today, SFFILM announced the full lineup for the 67th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival), the longest running film festival in the Americas.
This year’s program, curated from nearly 5,000 submissions and invitations, will screen exclusively in theaters in San Francisco’s Marina and Presidio neighborhoods, and in Berkeley from April 24–28. A selection of titles, curated from the full festival, will be presented from May 2–4 as SFFILM Festival Encore Days at the historic Roxie Theater.
“We have been boldly imagining a future where the San Francisco Bay Area is thriving in its celebration of and engagement with the arts and community,” said Anne Lai, Executive Director of SFFILM. “Film—always a reflection of and beacon for society—remains the gateway to a vibrant, healthy future of our culture and city. Continue reading →
Roadside Attractions has released an official trailer for its upcoming border thriller “The Absence of Eden”, which stars Zoe Saldaña and Garrett Hedlund.
‘The Absence of Eden’ is the directorial debut of Saldaña’s husband, Marco Perego, who wrote the film along with Rick Rapoza.
In the film, an ICE agent struggling with the moral dilemmas of border security and an undocumented woman fighting to escape a ruthless cartel cross paths and work together to save the life of an innocent girl.
Also in the film are Adria Arjona, Chris Coy, David Bortolucci, Tom Waits.
‘The Absence of Eden’ is set to be released in the United States on April 12, 2024. You can check out the new trailer below.
Oscar® nominee Dev Patel (Lion, Slumdog Millionaire) has an astonishing, tour-de-force feature directing debut with “Monkey Man”, an action thriller about one man’s quest for vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.
Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, Patel stars as Kid, an anonymous young man, boiling with suppressed rage, who infiltrates the enclave of the city’s sinister elite and unleashes an explosive campaign of retribution against the men who took everything from him.
The trailer looks packed with thrilling and spectacular fight and chase scenes. Monkey Man is directed by Dev Patel and produced by Oscar® winner Jordan Peele (Nope, Get Out). It stars Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte and Makarand Deshpande
A two-week, 21-film festival of work by British director KEN LOACH, spanning his six-decade career, will run at Film Forum from Friday, April 19 through Thursday, May 2.
The series is preceded by a run of Loach’s latest film – and what he has announced to be his final – THE OLD OAK, opening on Friday, April 5.
Loach’s career began in the mid-1960s when fellow socialist Tony Garnett recruited him to direct episodes for the BBC’s ‘Wednesday Play’ series. Loach’s 10 contributions examined social issues faced by ordinary Britons at the bottom of the social ladder and tackled controversial subjects such as abortion, homelessness, and labor strikes.
Through use of nonprofessional actors, improvised dialogue, and location shooting, Loach developed his realist style, “a subtle cinematic language, merging elements of documentary and fiction.” (James Monaco). Continue reading →
Dark Sky Films has set the release of its upcoming horror thriller “The Glenarma Tapes” to VOD and digital on April 2nd.
Directed by Tony Devlin, the film stars Warren McCook, Sophie Hill, Ryan Early and Emily Lamey. It is written by Tony Devlin & Paul Kennedy.
THE GLENARMA TAPES tells the story of teenager GORDY and his best friend JIMMY attempting to make the best film ever by following a day in the life of Gordy. Just an average day where Gordy tends to his little sister, goes to college, helps his Mum, pines over a potential girlfriend and smokes a pack of cigarettes… Not very exciting, until they overhear their annoying teachers plotting a wild weekend in the forest. Perfect timing for the boys to have an adventure of their own…by following them! Throw in Gordy’s love interest – the smart and streetwise ELEANOR and her no-nonsense friend CLARE and we have our Fab Four.
Off they set on a rickety old bus to the village of Glenarma, over sixty miles away from home. But what does every great adventure need? Supplies! Upon reaching the one-horse town and finding a dilapidated gas station, the gang encounter the strange yet articulate local shopkeeper EUGENE DONNELLY. Eugene proceeds to inform the young students of the tale of ‘Harry Half-a-Head’ – setting the scene for the unknown territory that lies ahead.
With their bags full, the gang make the 4-mile trek to the forest with the help of some “borrowed” wheels. A chase ensues but Gordy and his friends reach the gates of the Glenarma Forest safely…only to find the place is closed up. After a brief discussion on what to do next, the sound of an approaching vehicle nails the evening plans down. Taking cover, the students observe their teachers – MALLON and HOLMES, exit the unmarked car and make their way into the forest. Showtime!
Equipped with infra-red head cams, the youngsters follow the faculty members into the forest but soon lose sight of them. Darkness is coming and temperatures drop. Supplies are low and Gordy’s cigarette lighter is of no help when attempting to create a fire. Time to go home they decide. Catching your teachers having an affair on camera is no longer as appealing as they once believed.
However, when they begin to retrace their steps back through the forest, they uncover their teachers’ campsite and discover their educators are involved in a ritual sacrifice with a number of other people. When THE HUNTSMASTER initiates the hunt, the gang are discovered and must make it out of the forest alive before their teachers track them down and silence them forever…
Fast forward two years later and footage detailing their movements on the day they disappeared is uncovered during a police operation outside Belfast. With DETECTIVE TODD in charge, the case begins to unravel, lives are changed, there is a shocking discovery and we learn the truth of what occurred that fateful night through THE GLENARMA TAPES.
The love story film has been reported as an exploration of the connection between music and memory, and the power to transport people.
“I love how music can do that… pull you back to some moment in time,” Justin H. Min’s character says in the film.
Ned Benson wrote and directed The Greatest Hits, which is produced with Michael London, Shannon Gaulding, Stephanie Davis and Cassandra Kulukundis.
Lucy Boynton, David Corenswet, Justin H. Min, Jackson Kelly, Austin Crute star in the fantasy romance.
The movie is set for release on select theaters on April 5, 2024 by Searchlight Pictures, and then begins streaming on Hulu on April 12. Check out the trailer below.
Children can be such monsters. 
